Father’s Day is coming up! While you have a few weeks to think ahead, don’t wait until the last second to take advantage of the many events and activities happening in Fort Collins over Father’s Day weekend.
Read up on a few of our favorite happenings, mark your calendar, and celebrate dad in a unique, fun or active way this year!
Ben & Jerry’s Friday Afternoon Club Concert Series
Friday, June 17 at 7 – 9 p.m.
The Ben & Jerry’s Friday Afternoon Club Concert Series kicked off this Memorial Day weekend, and the fun in Old Town Square continues through the Fourth of July. On the Friday of Father’s Day weekend, take dad to the square to enjoy live music, the great local restaurants in the area, and lots of ice cream to top off the experience!
Go to the French Nest Open-Air Market
Saturday, June 18 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Visit The French Nest Open-Air Market on the third Saturday of each month for one-of-a-kind finds from local vendors. This is a family-friendly activity to celebrate Father’s Day early, or the perfect place to grab a last-minute gift for dad. Explore the booths of local vendors featuring vintage, antique, artisan, handmade, and hand-collected goods.
Head to Civic Center Park in downtown Fort Collins between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to shop for unique treasures — while enjoying coffee, pastries, performers, face painting and more!
Father’s Day Storytime at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Loveland
Saturday, June 18 at 11 a.m.
Visit Barnes & Noble Booksellers at the Promenade Shops at Centerra for a special Father’s Day Storytime on Saturday, June 18 at 11 a.m. To honor dads, grandpas, and caregivers, two books will be read out loud — Dad School and Grandpa Loves You! Storytime will be followed by fun activities to enjoy together.
Go on a Family Night Walk
Saturday, June 18 at 8 p.m.
Head to Reservoir Ridge Natural Area on Saturday, June 18 for a unique opportunity to explore a natural area in the dark. This easy 0.5–2 mile Family Night Walk is offered near the full moon so there is lots of natural light (and no need for flashlights)! Enjoy multisensory activities as a family, and be sure to dress warmly, wear closed-toe walking shoes, and bring water to drink. Registration is required in advance.
Take Dad Golfing at Mariana Butte Golf Course in Loveland
Golfing is a quintessential Father’s Day activity, as it requires a nearby golf course and beautiful weather — both of which exist in Northern Colorado. Head to Mariana Butte Golf Course in Loveland for a relaxing day of activity amidst this beautiful 18-hole course. Mariana Butte Golf Course is carved out of the foothills west of Loveland bordering the Big Thompson River. After a round of golf, enjoy a meal on the outdoor patio at the Wapiti Colorado Pub while you take in breathtaking vistas of the Rocky Mountains.
Get Active at the Father’s Day 5K
Sunday, June 19 at 8 a.m.
Perhaps one of the most momentous events happening in town this Father’s Day is the 19th Annual Father’s Day 5K. This family-friendly 5K event features fun runs, walks, a wheelchair race, and an after-party celebration in Old Town Square.
For the first time in the race’s history, there will be a Health & Wellness Fair hosted by UC Health and Columbine Health Systems after the celebration. Stick around Old Town Square for the awards presentation and the chance to meet with vendors.
Register in advance to be a part of this exciting Father’s Day event in the heart of Fort Collins!
Father’s Day 5K Schedule of Events:
6:30 – 7:45 a.m. Registration
7:57 a.m. Start of Wheelchair Division
8:00 a.m. Start of 5k Run/Walk and the 1-Mile Premium
8:45 a.m. Start of the 1-Mile Healthy Kids Run Series
8:45 a.m. After-Race Celebration in Old Town Square
9:00 a.m. Awards Ceremony in Old Town Square
Go to the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery
Sunday, June 19
Take the whole family to the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery on Father’s Day — the day that dad is the guest of honor. All fathers receive free admission on Father’s Day, so you’ll save some money with your overall admission for the family.
Explore the unique exhibits at the museum that offer the perfect mix of science and history. The 16,000-square-foot main gallery combines hands-on and artifact-based exhibits in the open-floor area that allows children (and adults!) to have fun exploring and learning. In fact, dad will have fun watching the kids have a blast, but will personally enjoy the experience as well!
Go on an REI Shopping Spree
Photo courtesy of: Bike Fort Collins
Whether or not the father or father figure in your life is an avid outdoorsmen, there’s a good chance he feels like a kid in a candy shop when he visits REI. Their massive supply of outdoor gear means there’s something for every type of activity — and for every skill level.
The REI store located in Fort Collins off College Avenue is the one-stop-shop for a Father’s Day shopping spree. You might want to stop by in advance and grab that wish-list item dad has been talking about. Or maybe you simply want to get him a gift card to let him pick out exactly what he wants. Instead, you could make the experience more of a family event by going to pick out that backpack he’s been eyeing!
…And then #OptOutside
Yes, we’re still riding out REI’s brilliant Black Friday campaign. But hey, it won them a prestigious award!
The #OptOutside mentality is worth emulating on a daily basis. But because summer weekends in Fort Collins typically mean exceptionally beautiful weather, this is an ideal time to get outside as a family.
Take dad on one of our favorite hikes near Fort Collins and Loveland, go kayaking down the Poudre River, go on a bike ride through the city, or simply eat a picnic at a nearby park. Whatever you do, get outside and enjoy each other’s company in the glorious Colorado sunshine!
Sample Small Batch Spirits at Dancing Pines Distillery
Dad will love Dancing Pines Distillery in Loveland, if he hasn’t been already. But don’t wait until Father’s Day to stop by this artisan distillery, as it is open Wednesday through Friday between 3 and 8 p.m. and Saturday from 1–8 p.m. Dad will enjoy learning about their process of creating small batch spirits from the finest ingredients, and will love sampling the creations even more! Get a free tour, where they’ll serve samples, cocktails, and a small cheese plate. This is a great place to take your dad if he lives in the area, or your husband for a date night while the kids are with a babysitter.
Take Dad to Brunch or Dinner at Ridizio Grill
Sunday, June 19
There’s a good chance that eating a juicy steak is on dad’s to-do list for Father’s Day this year. Rodizio Grill in Old Town is making sure no man goes hungry with their special Brazilian brunch and dinner offerings.
Rodizio Grill’s Brazilian Brunch is offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring unlimited appetizers, unlimited trips to their gourmet salad bar, and endless meats carved tableside. Meats include prime rib, bacon-wrapped dates, and leg of lamb. Choose from several brunch favorites like scrambled eggs, homestyle red potatoes, crispy bacon, seasoned sausage, French toast, strawberry-covered cheese blintzes, and more! Plus, all dads get a complimentary “Man mosa” beer cocktail or a “Taste of Rio” champagne cocktail.
Celebrate Father’s Day in Brazilian fashion with Rodizio Grill’s feature dinner from 2:15 to 9 p.m. Enjoy unlimited hot appetizers, unlimited trips to the salad bar, and endless meats carved tableside. All dads also receive a complimentary slice of Bolo Brigadeiro Chocolate Cake!
These offerings cost $37.99 per adult all day, and $5.99 for kids ages 3–6, $8.99 for kids ages 7–11, and free for kids under 2!
Happy Father’s Day!
Let us know how you plan to celebrate this year.
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